Single use film developer and film/developer package coupling means therefor

ABSTRACT

Improved means for coupling a length of film to a pliable developer package are disclosed. A rigid tooth that is integral with the film releasably engages an aperture in a flexible tab that is integral with the developer package. The tooth and aperture are sized so as to be readily uncoupled after the film is accurately located in the developer chamber.

United States Patent Bowlby [54] SINGLE USE FILM DEVELOPER ANDFILM/DEVELOPER PACKAGE COUPLING MEANS THEREFOR [72] Inventor: James F.G. Bowlby, 124 Demarest Road, Bloomingdale, NJ. 07403 22 Filed: Oct. 5,1970 21 Appl.No.: 77,779

52 U.S.'Cl. ..95/89R,95/l3,96/76R, 250/68 51 Int.Cl. ..G03d 3/00 [58]Field of Search ...95/89 R, 89 L, 90, 13; 250/65, 250/68, 69; 96/76 R[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,767,972 6/1930 Garretson..95/90 [15] 3,680,464 [451 Aug. 1,1972

2,689,307 9/1954 Fairbank ..95/89RX 3,195,436 7/1965 Decrop ..95/90Primary ExaminerSamuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard L. MosesAttorney-Leonard H. King ABSTRACT Improved means for coupling a lengthof film to a pliable developer package are disclosed. A rigid tooth thatis integral with the film releasably engages an aperture in a flexibletab that is integral with the developer package. The tooth and apertureare sized so as to be readily uncoupled after the film is accuratelylocated in the developer chamber.

13 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PA TENTEMB 1 I972 SHEET 1 OF 3 INVENTOR.Ii/mes [6. 3001/45) ATTORNEY PATENTEUAus' 1 I972 SHEU 3 0F 3 INVENTOR..7201

G Zen/43y ATTORNEY SINGLE USE FILM DEVELOPER AND FILM/ DEVELOPER PACKAGECOUPLING MEANS THEREFOR This invention relates generally to thephotographic arts and more particularly to improvements in a low costfilm developer that is disposable after a single use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A need exists for a low cost, simpledeveloping appar'atus for exposed, light-sensitive film. X-rays haveon-the-site applications such as at accident scenes and during militaryoperations. There are also industrial uses for on-the-site X-rays forinspection purposes and the like. While it is highly desirable that theX-ray film be developed as promptly as possible, this is frequently notdone because dark room facilities are usually remote. There mustnecessarily be a time delay between film exposure and processing thatcould prove costly.

An example of apparatus to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art inthis field is disclosed in my copending application, Ser. No. 760,231,filed on Sept. 17, 1968. Therein a system is disclosed which utilizes asupply of film developer contained within a rigid compartment. Theexposed film is attached to a pull tab which is then drawn through thedeveloper, carrying with it the exposed film.

Another copending application, Ser. No. 814,243, filed Apr. 8, 1969,discloses an improvement over the first filed application in that alength of exposed film is coupled to a pliable package containing afluid composition for treating the film. The pliable package and thefilm are drawn through a rigid container that applies a force to thepliable package so that the fluid is discharged therefrom into the rigidcontainer and onto the film.

Still other examples of the prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 3,379,879 issuedto E.T. Dicker et al. on Apr. 23, 1968 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,430,042granted on Feb. 25, 1969 to V. Neri. Both of these last mentionedpatents relate to devices for developing dental X-ray film and providethat both the film and the processing fluid are in the same package. Thedisadvantage of the prior art structure is that there is always thepossibility of leakage of the processing fluid. By way of contrast, thepresent invention permits remote usage of the X-ray film which is thencoupled to a processor for development. The prior art requires that theprocessing fluid be dispensed onto the film instead of moving the filmthrough and out of the processing fluid in accordance with the conceptof this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The improved coupling means of this inventionare comprised of a rigid plastic tooth that is sandwiched betweenopposed layers at the end of the pliable envelope that contains thefilm. The end of the pliable film envelope has an S-bend with the toothpointing initially in a direction away from film travel. An opening on atab formed integrally with a pliable plastic developer packagereleasably receives the rigid tooth so that when the developer packageis pulled through a rigid developer container, the S-bend is opened andthe film package is pulled from its envelope into the rigid developercontainer.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide animproved, low cost, single use film developing pack.

An advantage of this invention is that the improved film developing packdescribed above does not require the use of a conventional darkroom.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improvedcoupling means between the film holder and the developer package of thefilm pack described above.

A specific object of this invention is to provide im proved couplingmeans, as described above, comprising a rigid tooth secured to aflexible tab portion on one of the two movable elements, the toothmating with an opening in the other of the two movable elements.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will,in part, be pointed out with particularity and will, in part, becomeobvious from the following more detailed description of the inventiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms anintegral part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the various figures of the drawinglike reference characters designate like parts.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of the film holder comprising thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 but with the coupling means ofthis invention shown in the bent or folded condition and with an outerpack shown in phantom;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary plan view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating alight seal arrangement for the film holder;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, takenalong line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3, with a portion broken away andpartially in section, showing the outer pack in solid outline with thecoupling means extending therethrough;

FIG. 6 is a plan view, partially broken away and partially in section,illustrating the combined pliable film holder, pliable developer packand rigid developer container of this invention in their physicalrelationship preliminary to developing;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view, in section and on anenlarged scale, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the film holder and developer pack in thecoupled condition, a portion of the developer container having beenremoved to show an intermediate stage in the usage of the presentinventron;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view, similar to FIG. 8, showing the filmpositioned in the developer container and with the empty developerpackage uncoupled;

FIG. 10 is another fragmentary side elevational view in section on anenlarged scale illustrating a feature of the developer container;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a coupled length of film and adeveloper package illustrating another feature of this invention, thedeveloper container being removed for clarity.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view with the developer containerpartially broken away illustrating the relationship of the pliable andrigid portions of the developer package and developer container,respectively; and

FIG. 13 is a plan view similar to FIG. 12 showing the pliable developerpackage almost completely removed and with the film almost completelypositioned within the rigid developer container.

, Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIGS. 14, there isshown the film holder portion 20 of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 4 a length of film 22 is positioned between layers of protectivesheets 24a, 24b, such as paper, for example. The paper layers 24a, 24bprotect the emulsion on the film 22 from light rays and also keep thefilm 22 from sticking and from being scratched as it is pulled. A layerof lead 26 may also be provided for protective purposes. The severallayers just described are packaged in an opaque, pliable plastic holder28 which is positioned in an opaque outer pack 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 3A and 4, means made of a heat'sealable plasticmaterial are provided for making the pliable film holder 28 light-tight.The upper layer 32 of the film holder 28 is shorter than the lower layer34, the end 36 of which is folded over as shown in FIG. 4.-The twolayers 32 and 34 are heat sealed along side edges 38 as well as alongend 40. This construction defines a film holder that is open at only oneend.

The end 36 is bent into U-shape as shown in FIG. 4 and then is foldedover the top layer 32 as best shown in FIG. 3. As is common with allenvelopes, the corners defined by the juncturesof the sides and the endtherebetween will have a slight opening. In letter envelopes, forexample, this opening is advantageous since it acts as a vent. However,for the present application, any such opening would be deleterious,since it could easily permit entry of light. This problem is overcome bya small angularly placed heat seal 42 as shown in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 3Aon an enlarged scale. It should be particularly noted that the heat sealis very small and does not interfere with the opening of the film holder28. For all practical purposes, the end 36 may be considered as beingfunctionally open but with provisions being made at the corners to closethe vent holes.

In order to provide coupling means for the pliable film holder 28 a tabcomprised of two layers of pliable plastic film 50'is secured to the endof the film 22 adjacent the open end 36 of the container 28. The tab 50is first folded so as to be positioned between the upper layer 32 andthe inner surface of the folded over end 36 of the film holder 28. Thetab 50 is then reverse-folded over the outer surface of the end 36 todefine, together therewith, an S-shaped bend. Thus the film tab 50 isintertwined with the end 36 of the pliable film holder 28.

As will be described later, the folded over end 36 is openedautomatically when the film 22 is pulled to the right. Registered holes52 are suitably formed in the free end of the tab 50 and a rigid plastictooth 54 is suitably secured between the layers 50 at the free endthereof so as to extend through the registered openings 52.

The opaque, relatively rigid outer pack 30 is heat sealed about thepliable film holder 28. The outer pack 30 is comprised of upper andlower layers 62 and 64, respectively, that are heat sealed to each otheralong at least the side-edges 66 and the end edge 68. The other end edge70 that is adjacent the tooth 54 is provided with a notch 72 throughwhich the tooth 54 projects. There is thus provided a compact, readilyopened film container 20 that is light-tight and which can be stored fora great length of time without adversely affecting the condition of thefilm therein.

FIGS. 6-10 illustrate how the film holder 28 is coupled to a pliabledeveloper package and also how the invention is used. The developerpackage 80, which will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter inconnection with another aspect of this invention, is made of two heatsealed layers 82 of a suitable plastic. A pull tab 84 is providedintegrally at one end of the developer package 80 and a coupling tab 86,having an opening 88 therein, is provided integrally at the other end ofthe developer package 80. As will be explained below, the tooth 54 isadapted to be hooked into the opening 88 when the developer package 80is pulled to the right. As shown in FIGS. 6-10 the film 22 will bewithdrawn from the film holder 28 and, together with the developerpackage 80, will be drawn through a developer container 90 which willnow be described.

The coupling arrangement described above provides reliable mechanicalmeans that overcome problems inherent with an adhesive type offastening. Where tape or other form of adhesive bond is used forcoupling purposes, there is the possibility of a loss of holding powerif exposed to air or moisture.

The developer container 90 is formed of two opposed rigid layers 92 and94 of a suitable plastic which are heat sealed along longitudinal edges96 and 98. The layers 92 and 94 are spaced from each other to define adeveloper chamber 100 and an entrance chamber 102. A first transverserib 104 separates the two chambers 100 and 102 and a second transverserib 106 defines the opposite end of the developer chamber. One of thetwo layers 92 and 94 is formed with a recess 107 in the entrance chamber102 in order to accommodate the coupled portion of the film holder 28and developer package 80' as shown in FIG. 7. In the assembled conditionthe recess 107 is aligned with the holes 52 in the tab 50. The recess107 permits the tooth 54 to snap into place when it is inserted.

When the developer package 80 is pulled to the right, as shown in FIGS.6-10, the film 22 is drawn out of the film holder 28. In thisconnection, it should be noted that the entrance chamber 102 is providedwith longitudinal walls 108 and 110 (FIGS. 6, 8 and 9) that converge inthe direction of the pulling force in order to bear against and resistfurther inward movement of the film holder 28 and the rigid container30. When the film 22 is positioned within the developer chamber 100 thetab 50 is exposed at the right hand end of the developer container 90and is automatically uncoupled from the developer package 80, as shownin FIG. 10. Because the uncoupling is automatic the film 22 cannot beinadvertently drawn too far to the right. After a predetermined time haselapsed the film 22 is manually withdrawn from the developer'chamber100, using the tab 50 for this purpose.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 7 and 10, the right hand end of thedeveloper container 90 is formed with opposed enlarged transverserecesses 112a and ll2b. Resilient squeegee means 114 and 116 are securedin the recesses 112a and 112b, respectively, in closely spacedopposition to each other so that the film can be drawn therebetween. Thesqueegee means 1 14 and 116 squeeze dry the film in order to removeexcess fluid and in addition compresses the film emulsion which becomeshard and easier to handle.

The squeegee arrangement described above is advantageous since adeveloping agent (more notably in monobaths) has a tendency to swell orblister the emulsion coating of film. This creates an extremely softemulsion and often leads to cracking and peeling of the emulsion. As aresult caution must be exercised in the handling of the film in the wetcondition. The use of the resilient squeegee means 114 and 116 assuresthat the film emulsion does not become severely swollen or soft so thatthe film 22 may be safely handled immediately after removal from thedeveloper chamber 100.

In order to prevent any distortion of the developer package 80 as aresult of the pressure applied, the squeegee means 114 and 116 areoffset as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10. An effective wiper seal is provided.The developer container 90 can expand at the pressure area withoutdistorting the developer package 80.

A simple yet effective means for automatically releasing the fluid fromthe developer package 80 concurrently with the pulling thereof isdisclosed in FIGS. 11-13. The developer package 80 is provided with atleast one laterally extending tab 118 that is heat sealed between thelongitudinal edges of the two opposed layers 92 and 94. Although twotabs 118 are illustrated in FIGS. ll-l3, one tab 118 will besufficiently effective. As the developer package 80 is pulled to theright, the captured tab 118 will remain in place thereby tearing thedeveloper package 80 so that the contents thereof may be discharged intothe developer chamber 100 just prior to the arrival of the film 22. Toaid in the tearing process of the developer package 80, a starting out120 may be provided although this is not absolutely essential. In anyevent the developer package 80 is completely sealed initially. Thetransverse ribs 104 and 106 act as barriers to prevent loss of thefluid. Since the developer fluid is sealed in an air-tight package, itcan be mixed and filled under nitrogen conditions and then easily storedand handled without oxidation.

As used herein the term developer fluid is generic to all film treatingfluids. Similarly, where heat seals have been indicated other equivalentsealing means may be employed. Although the plastic materials have notbeen specifically identified, it is evident that the proper selection iswell within the skill of a competent designer, consistent with the usageof the invention, particularly as concerns the film treating fluids andtypes of seals that are used. In this connection it should be noted thatthe term plastic includes fibrous materials such as paper, for example,wherein a coating of plastic is applied to at least one surface thereof.The particular plastic selected for either the coating or the sheetitself should be consistent with the ultimate usage thereof namely heatsealing, opacity, imperviousness to a particular fluid, etc.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the inventionpresently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that variouschanges and modifications may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Improved means for coupling a length of film and a developer packageof the type used in a disposable processor for exposed, light sensitivefilm including a container having a chamber in which the developerpackage is initially positioned and into which chamber a fluid, filmtreating composition contained within the developer package is adaptedto be dispensed when the film is drawn therethrough, said coupling meanscomprising:

a. an extension integral with theupstream end of the developer package,said extension having an opening therein; and

b. a tooth integral with the downstream end of the film, said toothbeing in engagement with the opening in said extension and arranged tobe drawn through the fluid composition by the developer package.

2. The coupling means in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tooth ismade of a rigid material.

3. The coupling means in accordance with claim 2 wherein said extensionis made of a pliable material.

4. A disposable processor for exposed, light sensitive film, saidprocessor comprising the combination of:

a. a developer section having entry and exit ends and a developerchamber therebetween;

b. a frangible developer package positioned within said developerchamber, said developer package containing a supply of a fluid, filmtreating composition;

c. a holder for a length of film;

d. an extension integral with the upstream end of said developerpackage, said extension having an opening therein; and

e. a tooth integral with the downstream end of the film, said toothengaging the opening in said extension whereby the film is drawn throughthe fluid treating composition when said developer package is withdrawnfrom said processor.

5. The processor in accordance with claim 4 wherein said tooth is madeof a rigid material.

6. The processor in accordance with claim 5 wherein said extension ismade of a pliable material.

7. The processor in accordance with claim 4 wherein said tooth extendsin a direction opposite to that of the movement of the film whereby saidtooth and said extension remain coupled to each other at least untilsaid tooth completely traverses said chamber in said processor.

8. The processor in accordance with claim 7 wherein said tooth and theopening in said extension are sized so as to permit decoupling thereofwhen said tooth is positioned downstream of said chamber in saidprocessor.

9. Improved means for coupling a length of film and a developer packageof the type used in a disposable processor for exposed, light sensitivefilm including a container having a chamber in which the developerpackage is initially positioned and into which chamber a fluid, filmtreating composition contained within the developer package is adaptedto be dispensed when the film is drawn therethrough, said coupling meanscomprising:

a. an extension integral with the upstream end of the developer package,said extension having an opening therein; and

b. a tooth integral with the downstream end of the film, said toothbeing in engagement with the opening in said extension and arranged to edrawn through the fluid composition by the developer package, said toothextending in adirection pposite to that of the movement of the filmwhereby said tooth and said extension remain coupled to each other atleast until said tooth completely traverses the chamber and theprocessor.

10. The coupling means in accordance with claim 9 wherein said tooth andthe opening in said extension are sized so as to permit decouplingthereof when said tooth is positioned downstream of the chamber in theprocessor.

11. The coupling means in accordance with claim 9 wherein said tooth ismade of a rigid material.

12. The coupling means in accordance with claim 11 wherein saidextension is made of a pliable material.

13. The coupling means in accordance with claim 11 wherein said toothand the opening in said extension are sized so as to permit decouplingthereof when said tooth is positioned downstream of the chamber in theprocessor.

1. Improved means for coupling a length of film and a developer packageof the type used in a disposable processor for exposed, light sensitivefilm including a container having a chamber in which the developerpackage is initially positioned and into which chamber a fluid, filmtreating composition contained within the developer package is adaptedto be dispensed when the film is drawn therethrough, said coupling meanscomprising: a. an extension integral with the upstream end of thedeveloper package, said extension having an opening therein; and b. atooth integral with the downstream end of the film, said tooth being inengagement with the opening in said extension and arranged to be drawnthrough the fluid composition by the developer package.
 2. The couplingmeans in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tooth is made of a rigidmaterial.
 3. The coupling means in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidextension is made of a pliable material.
 4. A disposable processor forexposed, light sensitive film, said processor comprising the combinationof: a. a developer section having entry and exit ends and a developerchamber therebetween; b. a frangible developer package positioned withinsaid developer chamber, said developer package containing a supply of afluid, film treating composition; c. a holder for a length of film; d.an extension integral with the upstream end of said developer package,said extension having an opening therein; and e. a tooth integral withthe downstream end of the film, said tooth engaging the opening in saidextension whereby the film is drawn through the fluid treatingcomposition when said developer package is withdrawn from saidprocessor.
 5. The processor in accordance with claim 4 wherein saidtooth is made of a rigid material.
 6. The processor in accordance withclaim 5 wherein said extension is made of a pliable material.
 7. Theprocessor in accordance with claim 4 wherein said tooth extends in adirection opposite to that of the movement of the film whereby saidtooth and said extension remain coupled to each other at least untilsaid tooth completely traverses said chamber in said processor.
 8. Theprocessor in accordance with claim 7 wherein said tooth and the openingin said extension are sized so as to permit decoupling thereof when saidtooth is positioned downstream of said chamber in said processor. 9.Improved meaNs for coupling a length of film and a developer package ofthe type used in a disposable processor for exposed, light sensitivefilm including a container having a chamber in which the developerpackage is initially positioned and into which chamber a fluid, filmtreating composition contained within the developer package is adaptedto be dispensed when the film is drawn therethrough, said coupling meanscomprising: a. an extension integral with the upstream end of thedeveloper package, said extension having an opening therein; and b. atooth integral with the downstream end of the film, said tooth being inengagement with the opening in said extension and arranged to e drawnthrough the fluid composition by the developer package, said toothextending in a direction opposite to that of the movement of the filmwhereby said tooth and said extension remain coupled to each other atleast until said tooth completely traverses the chamber and theprocessor.
 10. The coupling means in accordance with claim 9 whereinsaid tooth and the opening in said extension are sized so as to permitdecoupling thereof when said tooth is positioned downstream of thechamber in the processor.
 11. The coupling means in accordance withclaim 9 wherein said tooth is made of a rigid material.
 12. The couplingmeans in accordance with claim 11 wherein said extension is made of apliable material.
 13. The coupling means in accordance with claim 11wherein said tooth and the opening in said extension are sized so as topermit decoupling thereof when said tooth is positioned downstream ofthe chamber in the processor.